How Common is PTSD in Women Who Experience Intimate Partner Violence?

What you need to know

• About 60% of women in this study who had experienced intimate partner violence showed symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• A specialized women’s health center called Maison des Femmes provided coordinated, multidisciplinary care that women found helpful.
• More research is needed to determine if this type of specialized care leads to better mental health outcomes for women who have experienced violence.

Understanding Intimate Partner Violence and PTSD

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a widespread problem that can have severe consequences for women’s physical and mental health. IPV refers to physical violence, sexual violence, stalking, or psychological harm by a current or former partner or spouse. Worldwide, about 30% of women have experienced IPV at some point in their lives.

One of the most serious mental health effects of IPV is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Symptoms include intrusive memories or flashbacks of the trauma, avoidance of reminders, negative changes in thinking and mood, and changes in physical and emotional reactions. PTSD can significantly impact a person’s daily functioning and quality of life.

About the Study

Researchers in France conducted a study to examine how common PTSD symptoms were among women who had experienced IPV and were seeking care at health centers. They surveyed 67 women at three different locations:

1. Maison des Femmes (MdF) - A specialized center providing coordinated care for women who have experienced violence (40 women)
2. Municipal Health Center 1 (12 women)
3. Municipal Health Center 2 (15 women)

The women completed questionnaires about their experiences, mental health symptoms, and use of healthcare services. Some women also participated in interviews to share more about their experiences in depth.

High Rates of PTSD Symptoms

The study found that 60% of the women showed symptoms consistent with a PTSD diagnosis. This was based on their responses to a checklist of PTSD symptoms called the PCL-5.

Specifically:

• 57.5% of women at Maison des Femmes had PTSD symptoms
• 60% at Municipal Health Center 1 had PTSD symptoms
• 66.7% at Municipal Health Center 2 had PTSD symptoms

These high rates were similar across all three centers, despite their different approaches to care. This suggests that PTSD is very common among women seeking help after experiencing IPV, regardless of where they go for care.

Other Health Concerns

In addition to PTSD symptoms, the study looked at other aspects of the women’s health and wellbeing:

• About 40% of the women rated their overall health as good or very good. This means the majority felt their health was less than good.
• 40% had visited an emergency room in the past 6 months.
• About 27% were regular smokers.
• Only 7.5% reported problematic alcohol use.
• 19.4% used psychotropic medications like antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs.

These findings highlight that women who have experienced IPV often face multiple, complex health challenges beyond PTSD alone.

Barriers to Care

Through interviews, the researchers identified several common difficulties faced by women who have experienced IPV:

1. Feelings of loneliness and isolation
2. Need for empathetic, non-judgmental listening
3. Specific symptoms and needs that general healthcare providers may not fully understand
4. Difficulty accessing appropriate care

One woman explained: “We need real professionals, who understand what we’re going through.”

Benefits of Specialized Care

The Maison des Femmes aims to address these challenges through coordinated, multidisciplinary care specifically for women who have experienced violence. Women who received care there highlighted several benefits:

1. Social networking - Connecting with other women who have had similar experiences
2. Multidisciplinary approach - Access to medical, psychological, social, and legal support in one place
3. Specialized listening - Staff trained to understand the unique needs of IPV survivors
4. Comprehensive healthcare
5. Opportunities for distraction and stress relief
6. A welcoming, home-like environment

As one woman described: “I’m in a house here, it’s a house that is made for us […] I feel like whatever I say I won’t be judged.”

Looking Ahead: Need for More Research

This study provides valuable insights into the mental health needs of women who have experienced IPV. However, it was relatively small and only looked at women’s symptoms at one point in time.

The researchers are planning a larger study to compare outcomes for women receiving care at specialized centers like Maison des Femmes versus standard health centers. This future research will help determine whether the coordinated care approach leads to better long-term mental health outcomes.

Conclusions

• PTSD symptoms are very common among women who have experienced intimate partner violence and are seeking healthcare.
• Specialized, coordinated care centers may help address some of the unique needs of IPV survivors.
• More research is needed to determine the most effective ways to support the mental health of women who have experienced IPV.

If you or someone you know is experiencing intimate partner violence, help is available. Contact a healthcare provider, local domestic violence organization, or national hotline for support and resources.